The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted authorization for a magnetic device used to treat pediatric esophageal atresia, a birth defect that causes abnormal formation of the esophagus. The Flourish Pediatric Esophageal Atresia device was created by University of Chicago Medicine assistant professor of radiology Mario Zaritzky, MD, in collaboration with Cook Medical.

Esophageal atresia is a birth defect of the esophagus that affects about 1 in 2,500 to 4,000 births per year. Children with the malformation have a gap in their esophagus that prevents them from properly ingesting food. Surgery has traditionally been the only treatment option to repair the malformation until Zaritzky, a pediatric radiologist at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, collaborated with Cook on the development of a minimally invasive, magnet-based approach.

The new device uses rare earth magnets that are inserted into the upper and lower ends of an infant's esophagus. The procedure doesn't require any major incisions. Over the course of several days, the magnets gradually stretch both ends of the esophagus. Eventually, the ends of the esophagus connect to form an intact esophagus. So far, 16 patients have been successfully treated with the device.

"The idea was to create a minimally invasive procedure that could possibly be an alternative to surgery in selective pediatric cases," said Zaritzky. "Any procedure that can potentially replace major thoracic surgery with a less invasive method should be considered before deciding to go to the operating room."

The Flourish Pediatric Esophageal Atresia Device received a special Humanitarian Use Device designation last week after being reviewed through the FDA's Humanitarian Device Exemption pathway. The designation is used for medical devices that treat or diagnose rare diseases or conditions that affect fewer than 4,000 people in the U.S. each year.

"We're very excited that FDA has acknowledged the importance of Flourish as a minimally invasive alternative for pediatric patients with esophageal atresia," said Barry Slowey, president and global business unit leader for Cook Medical's Endoscopy business unit. "This technology has the ability to provide a different approach to treatment for those infants who suffer from this condition, as well as for their parents and families."
The FDA's approval means more children born with the malformation will have access to a minimally invasive option and be able to avoid more invasive surgery.

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